EVERETT – Hans Verryt is part of a group of Everett Transit riders that expects to be hit particularly hard if a tax referendum for the cash-strapped agency doesn’t pass in the Sept. 14 primary election.
If the measure fails, bus service to all riders would likely be eliminated on weekends and during late evening hours, said George Baxter, transit operations manager.
Such cutbacks would be especially difficult for Verryt, 49, and other disabled passengers.
The typical bus rider may be able to work around the service cuts, but many disabled riders depend on door-to-door minibus service as their main link to the outside world.
“If there were any cutbacks, it would have a drastic impact on my life,” Verryt said.
Some riders with disabilities use regular buses, but many are unable to get on one or live too far from bus stops.
Proposition 1 will ask Everett voters to raise the local sales tax from 8.3 percent to 8.6 percent. Everett Transit’s share would rise from 0.3 percent to 0.6 percent.
If the measure passes, the agency would restore service levels to where they were a year ago, when service was cut 14 percent, Baxter said. He said service could even be expanded.
Sean Barrett, manager of the disAbility Resource Center in Everett, agreed that riders with disabilities have fewer options than other passengers.
Many able-bodied riders “can just hop in someone’s car or take a long walk to where they need to go,” he said.
As many as 170 disabled and elderly people use the minibuses each weekday, and up to 90 do so on Saturday or Sunday.
“It’s a way for people to not be so isolated,” said Nicole Selene, 34, who primarily depends on the buses to get to work and to doctor appointments on weekdays. She also uses the bus to visit friends on weekends.
Rob Workman, 28, Associated Student Body president at Everett Community College, uses the minibuses on weekends for everything from grocery shopping to banking to going to Everett Silvertips games.
“I wouldn’t be able to take care of my errands if there were no weekend service,” he said. “Being a full-time student prevents me from doing that during the week.”
Reporter David Olson: 425-339-3452 or dolson@heraldnet.com
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